Bell’s palsy is a condition in which the muscles on one side of your face become weak or paralyzed. It affects only one side of the face at a time, causing it to droop or become stiff on that side. It’s caused by some kind of trauma to the seventh cranial nerve

Medications. Commonly used medications to treat Bell’s palsy include: Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. If they can reduce the swelling of the facial nerve, it will fit more comfortably within the bony corridor that surrounds it.

Bell’s palsy usually resolves on its own within six months. Physiotherapy can help prevent muscles from permanently contracting

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. It can occur when the nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or compressed.

The condition causes one side of your face to droop or become stiff. You may have difficulty smiling or closing your eye on the affected side. In most cases, Bell’s palsy is temporary and symptoms usually go away after a few weeks.

Although Bell’s palsy can occur at any age, the condition is more common among people between ages 16 and 60. Bell’s palsy is named after the Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who was the first to describe the condition.

The symptoms of Bell’s palsy can develop one to two weeks after you have a cold, ear infection, or eye infection. They usually appear abruptly, and you may notice them when you wake up in the morning or when you try to eat or drink.

Bell’s palsy is marked by a droopy appearance on one side of the face and the inability to open or close your eye on the affected side. In rare cases, Bell’s palsy may affect both sides of your face.

Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

• drooling
• difficulty eating and drinking
• an inability to make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning
• facial weakness
• muscle twitches in the face
• dry eye and mouth
• headache
• sensitivity to sound
• irritation of the eye on the involved side

Bell’s palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. The exact cause of this damage is unknown, but many medical researchers believe it’s most likely triggered by a viral infection.

The viruses/bacteria that have been linked to the development of Bell’s palsy include:

• herpes simplex, which causes cold sores and genital herpes
• HIV, which damages the immune system
• sarcoidosis, which causes organ inflammation
• herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
• Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis
• Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection caused by infected ticks

How is Bell’s palsy diagnosed?

Your doctor will first perform a physical examination to determine the extent of the weakness in your facial muscles. They’ll also ask you questions about your symptoms, including when they occurred or when you first noticed them.

Your doctor can also use a variety of tests to make a Bell’s palsy diagnosis. These tests may include blood tests to check for the presence of a bacterial or viral infection. Your doctor might also use an MRI or CT scan to check the nerves in your face.

How is Bell’s palsy treated?

In most cases, Bell’s palsy symptoms improve without treatment. However, it can take several weeks or months for the muscles in your face to regain their normal strength.

The following treatments may help in your recovery.

Medication

• corticosteroid drugs, which reduce inflammation
• antiviral or antibacterial medication, which may be prescribed if a virus or bacteria caused your Bell’s palsy
• over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can help relieve mild pain
• eye drops

Home treatment

• an eye patch (for your dry eye)
• a warm, moist towel over your face to relieve pain
• facial massage
• physical therapy exercises to stimulate your facial muscles

Alternative medicine

Although there’s little scientific evidence to support the use of alternative medicine for people with Bell’s palsy, some people with the condition may benefit from the following:

• Acupuncture. Placing thin needles into a specific point in your skin helps stimulate nerves and muscles, which may offer some relief.
• Biofeedback training. By teaching you to use your thoughts to control your body, you may help gain better control over your facial muscles.

What are the potential complications of Bell’s palsy?

Most people who have an episode of Bell’s palsy will completely recover without complications. However, complications may occur in more severe cases of Bell’s palsy. These include the following:

• You may have damage to the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve controls your facial muscles.
• You may have excessive dryness in the eye, which can lead to eye infections, ulcers, or even blindness.
• You may have synkinesis, which is a condition in which moving one body part causes another to move involuntarily. For example, your eye may close when you smile.

What are the potential complications of Bell’s palsy?

Most people who have an episode of Bell’s palsy will completely recover without complications. However, complications may occur in more severe cases of Bell’s palsy. These include the following:

• You may have damage to the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve controls your facial muscles.
• You may have excessive dryness in the eye, which can lead to eye infections, ulcers, or even blindness.
• You may have synkinesis, which is a condition in which moving one body part causes another to move involuntarily. For example, your eye may close when you smile.

• Physical therapy

• Paralyzed muscles can shrink and shorten, causing permanent contractures. A physical therapist can teach you how to massage and exercise your facial muscles to help prevent this from occurring.

• Surgery

• In the past, decompression surgery was used to relieve the pressure on the facial nerve by opening the bony passage that the nerve passes through. Today, decompression surgery isn’t recommended. Facial nerve injury and permanent hearing loss are possible risks associated with this surgery.

What is the long-term outlook for people with Bell’s palsy?

The outlook for people with Bell’s palsy is usually good. Recovery time may vary depending on the severity of nerve damage. In general, however, people can see an improvement within two weeks after the initial onset of symptoms. Most will completely recover within three to six months, but it may be longer for people with more severe cases of Bell’s palsy. In rare cases, symptoms may continue to return or may be permanent.